Build Your Own Computer Tips

Writen by Michael Cottier

Liquid Crystal Display is what LCD stands for, and you thought crystals could only be a solid. Liquid crystals were actually first discovered in 1888 and took more then 100 years to progress into the LCD monitors that we see for computers, laptops, calculators and so one. So why the history lesson you ask, because most likely you are interested in getting an LCD monitor for your computer, but want to get the best deal and quality of monitor. So you need to know everything that you can about LCD’s, or you might purchase the wrong one for you.

The difference between a good old fashioned CRT monitor and an LCD is not just the size, far from it. LCD’s produce a clearer picture and use a digital connection between the computer and the monitor instead of an analog one like CRT monitors. As we all know, digital is much better then analog since there is less signal loss.

In addition to its picture quality as a main benefit, LCD monitors also consume less power, which actually saves you money on your electric bill. Sure it won’t be much, but after awhile the savings will add up and make up for the cost difference between a CRT and an LCD monitor. So in the end you paid just about the same amount for an LCD as you would have for a big old clunky CRT monitor.

Okay let’s say you want to buy an LCD monitor now, but you don’t know which one to get. Well let me first tell you that all LCD’s are not created equal and the quality really depends on the manufacturer and a few certain other aspects. There are so many LCD monitor manufacturers these days that deciding which one to buy simply by the company name is much too hard. What you should do to find the best LCD monitor amongst all those other pesky inferior ones, is to compare the contrast ratio. The screen with the highest contrast ratio will have better picture and color quality, which is the whole reason we use a monitor anyways, too look at it.

Another factor that determines the picture quality of your LCD monitor is the response time. This basically means how long it takes to transform the liquid crystal to the state that will display the correct color. The higher the response time, the more blurry the images will be, especially images moving on black backgrounds.

The connection between the LCD monitor and the computer also makes a major difference in picture quality. LCD monitors have an AGP port just like CRT’s do, but they also have another port called DVI, which instead of being analog it uses a digital signal. Digital connections have less picture and color loss than an analog one, but do require you to have a DVI port on your computer. If your computer doesn’t have one, then you have to buy a new video card that does and install it.

Now that you have the basic knowledge that you need to know when buying an LCD monitor, you are prepared to buy one at your local store or online. Before you go though, I just wanted to say that I have owned an LCD for the past 2 years and I could never go back to a CRT monitor, my eyes have been spoiled! The picture quality is just that good, plus not to mention how much more desk space I have and the fact that I am using less power feels good too. I guarantee that once you have an LCD monitor you won’t be able to go back to a CRT either.

Michael can help you find the best LCD monitor for you at the lowest price. Use his expertise and knowledge of this subject at: http://www.computer-customizing-guide.com/cheap-lcd-monitors.html
If you want to do a complete upgrade of your computer, then he can help you at: http://www.computer-customizing-guide.com/

Writen by Steve Jones

As home computers become more advanced, and our uses for them become more complex, the need for higher performance and capacity hard drives increases. It is now possible to choose hard drives with vastly different capacities and rotational speeds, making things more confusing for the consumer.

Thankfully for consumers the hard drive market is extremely competitive and the price at which a high capacity hard drive can be bought is quite astounding. Now that broadband internet is common place, with more and more people downloading music and movies, the need for high specification hard drives has never been greater.

When choosing a new hard drive it is important to consider What you use your computer for. Those who just use their home pc for basic requirements such as word processing and surfing the internet will not need to spend as much on their hard drive as someone who may use music applications or lots of games. When buying a hard drive also try and anticipate any future requirements also.

Lets consider the following hard drive specifications:

1)Capacity

2)Rotational speed

3)Buffer size and transfer rates

In terms of capacity, hard drives can range from 30 - 300 GB. 40 GB hard drives are fairly standard these days. If all you will be using your PC for is to run a few basic software applications and games then this will provide you with plenty of space. But as most people these days are generally also using their home computer to store lots of music, videos and photos, I would strongly recomend buying something between 60 - 120 GB capacity. With hard drives being relatively cheap these days it is better to buy something that will continue to provide storage in the future, than go for a smaller option now and have to upgrade sooner.

The second factor we really need to consider is the rotational speed of the hard drives. This has become a big selling point for manufacturers. The speed is measured in revolutions per minute and you will find figures such as 5400RPM, 7200RPM, 10000RPM, 15000RPM quoted by the hard drive manufacturers. Hard drives work by reading information from rotating magnetic platters as they rotate, hence the faster the rotating speed, the quicker the information is read. There is a down side to faster rotating speeds though, and that is wear and tear. The faster a hard drive spins the quicker it will wear out and it will also be more vulnerable to crashes. Rotational speed is really important, so if your going to be using your PC for music or gaming then you need to buy a 7200RPM drive. If its just for basic usage then a 5400RPM drive will suffice. Again as the price difference between 7200RPM and 540RPM drives is minimal, you may consider opting for the faster speed as this will not need upgrading as soon.

The buffer size and transfer rates will not be of importance to many people, and only need to be considerd by people building
dedicated games machines or for high end music applications. The buffer is used as a temporary store for data and the larger the buffer size the better your pc will operate. It is possible to buy hard drives with a buffer size of 8MB. Its best to buy a drive with as large a buffer as you can afford. The same is true for transfer rates, buy the drive with the highest transfer rate that you can afford.

This buyers guide should have covered all the points you need to consider when purchasing your new hard drive, but if you want more information then plenty is avaiable on the internet. For further information please visit our site.

Steve Jones has worked with computers all his life and is now using his knowledge to write articles for http://www.officialharddrive.com.

Writen by Preston Wily

The traditional view of a “PC”

If you ask just about anybody what their idea of a “PC system” is they will probably list a tower, a keyboard, a mouse and a monitor. While it is true that these are the essential elements of using a personal computer, it is becoming more and more popular to use an alternative setup.

Sometimes two is better than one

It is becoming increasingly more common to see people using two towers with one keyboard, video and monitor. This is accomplished through the use of a KVM switch - as you probably already guessed, KVM standard for keyboard-video-mouse. This is great for people who need more computing power than they can get with one machine. A good example of this would be in a graphic design environment where you are consuming a high percentage of your available RAM and CPU power to run heavy editing applications.

Sometimes you need more room to be productive

For some people computing power is not a huge issue, but they could use more desktop space: enter the dual-screen setup. This allows you to have two monitors that essentially share your desktop. You can drag items from one monitor to another and if you have a long window you want to view, you can sprawl it out across both monitors. This is great when you need to use another screen as a reference or you want a static window that you can always check (with stock symbols, sales figures, etc.).

It’s not that hard to do

A lot of people see dual-screen setups and they think that it’s hard to do - it’s really not. First of all you need a dual-monitor video card. Do not try to use two single-port video cards - you will probably have IRQ conflicts that will keep you from using both at the same time - special software is bundled with all dual-port video cards that allows both ports to peacefully co-exist.

DVI vs. VGA

For some reason most dual-port video cards have one VGA port and one DVI port. I am not saying that dual-port VGA or dual-port DVI cards don’t exist, but I have never seen one. This can be kind of a pain because you might have two VGA monitors or two DVI monitors. Don’t worry - there is a solution. You can easily find a DVI-to-VGA adapter or a VGA-to-DVI adapter from just about anyone who sells you a video card. Be aware that if you have two DVI monitors that your DVI signal will be downgraded to analog, but the quality loss is almost unnoticable unless you have a huge monitor. Also, using a VGA-to-DVI adapter will not upscale your signal to a digital signal - it will pass an analog signal through the DVI port.

You will need to install included software

Regardless of where you buy the card from there will be some software that you will have to install to get your new setup to work. As I mentioned earlier, this will resolve any IRQ conflicts that would otherwise arise and give you some cool options for your desktop such as specifying which monitor should be the right-side of the desktop and which should be the left.

Be sure to uninstall your old card first

Whether you choose to use an AGP video card or PCI, you should definitely remove your existing video card first (and disable any software related to the old monitor). This will remove the possibility of a driver conflict and make you and the computer much happier in the long-run.

Preston Wily is the Director of Marketing for an online retailer of computer hardware and accessories. He also operates his own internet marketing blog and does marketing consulting for small-to-medium business owners.

Writen by Deryck Richards
To Wire or Not to Wire

Wireless networks are en vogue, but your installation won’t be successful unless you chose the right type of network and set it up properly. Wired networks require that each computer be connected via a wire to a central location, called a switch or hub. This often involves installing cables through walls and ceilings and can present a challenge for anyone.

If the computers in your home or office are all within 500 feet of each other, a wireless network might be for you. A wireless network has no cables. It can connect computers on different floors of a building or even across the street. Aside from the obvious benefit of not having wires, wireless networks are more convenient since the setup, configuration, and reconfiguration can often be done within minutes, without extensive planning.

Wireless networks, however, are not as fast as wired networks. If you play computer games or want to view streaming video or other high-speed multimedia, a wireless network might not have enough capacity. But, if you just want to check e-mail and view web pages, a wireless network is a good choice. To install a wireless network, you need a Wireless Access Point and a wireless network card for each computer. You will need to buy a wireless network card for each desktop computer, although most newer laptops come equipped with one.

Security is not a large concern in a wired network, since someone would have to physically connect to a wired network to break in. In wireless networks, a car parked outside with a laptop could easily connect to your network if you don’t have proper security in place. To prevent this from happening, encrypt your wireless network connections, or set a password to access the network, or do both.

Do It Yourself or Call a Professional?

If you decide to use a wired network, consider whether you will install it yourself or hire a professional. If you have a small number of computers that are all situated very close to one another, you may be able to buy pre-assembled network cables and connect them yourself. If you need to wire multiple floors and lay wire through ceilings and walls, you need a professional installation. If you go this route, it is best to begin with a floor plan of your office or home, determine what your current needs are, and consider how the network design can be adapted to future needs. A professional installer should be familiar with EIA/TIA standards, local wiring and electrical codes, and making custom cables. Network cabling professionals are often judged by the neatness of their work, because sloppy cabling is more apt to deteriorate over time, harder to manage, and poses more of a fire risk.

Having a wireless network or a wired network is not mutually exclusive. Many small offices have a wired network in addition to one or more wireless networks, depending on their needs. Wireless networks are continuing to get faster, more secure, and less expensive. Wired networks will continue to coexist with wireless networks, often in the same homes and offices.

Deryck Richards is the founder and managing partner of Desktronix. With an extensive educational background in computer information systems, Deryck currently manages hosting and data center operations for Desktronix. He also provides system administration and technical support directly to small businesses as he has since 2000. His areas of expertise include networking, Windows, Linux, and Macintosh systems and he is the author of The Guide to Technology for Small Business. For more information on Desktronix, visit www.desktronix.com

Writen by Michael Quarles

Is your computer a monster? Is it a fire-breathing dragon that can go howling through the latest games, the most intense video, and the heaviest of heavy duty number crunching?

If so, the analogy of fire-breathing dragon to computer may be particularly apt, because the inside of its case can run as hot as blazes. To prevent this, I favor a five step approach.

The first step is perhaps the easiest to deal with. Answer this: what is the room temperature where your computer is located? Cool, perhaps uncomfortably cool for some people, is best. This brings to mind a friend, a skinny, asthetic fellow, who spends hours running a demanding 3-D animation program on his PC.

He liked a room temperature near 80 degrees, while his computer would have prefered something in the range of 68 or so. Actually, he was shortening the life of his machine by running it under these conditions. Finally, he was persuaded to wear a pullover, and turn the thermostat down. My friend is reasonably content with the compromise, and his computer lives on.

Now, the second step: have you noticed the design of computer desks? How there’s a cubby hole set aside for the computer itself? Usually, a PC will just barely fit into the things.

If you get such a desk, use the cubby hole for instruction manuals, textbooks, put a vase there, anything but a computer. The walls of the cubby hole block air vents, restricting the airflow inside your computer’s case. Hot air pools up, letting the temperature climb higher, like the inside of a oven.

No matter how strong the exhaust fans are in your PC, it has to be able to pull some air in through the vents to breathe, you might say. Give it a chance. Keep it out of the cubby hole.

Also, keep it out of direct sunlight. That is the third step. Ask yourself this: why does a cat like to sleep in the shaft of sunlight that comes through a window? The answer is obvious. It’s warm there.

Now, imagine a computer, with a dark colored case sitting before that same window. It will get hot without even running!

When your cat gets hot, it can get up and walk away. Your computer can’t. So, keep it out of sunlight.

The next step is one of the most practical, and addresses the problem directly. The surest way to lower the temperature inside your PC’s case is to add another fan.

This is a much simpler operation than it may sound like to the beginner. All you have to do is open up the case, mount the fan with four screws, and either connect it to a lead coming from the case’s power supply, or plug it into a 5V receptacle on the motherboard.

The rub comes when you don’t have a place to mount another fan. This is often a problem with smaller size cases.

Modification, cutting a new fan port, is a job best left to an experienced hand. I have done this sort of thing, but only on a completely empty case. Everything, motherboard, hard drive, and all, comes out first. No metal shavings, or metal dust should be allowed to reach your PC’s components.

The fifth step, if the others fail, is liquid cooling. At one time, this was viewed as a drastic option, and I can well remember how leery many of us were when this new technology came on the market. Yet its fascination drew me to try it, on a PC I put together from scratch.

The effectiveness surprised me. It tamed what could have been an otherwise insurmountable cooling problem, and has performed admirably in the many months since.

By the way, the unit I purchased has come down in price by at least 30% since I bought it.

Michael Quarles website is http://www.monkeyseemonkeydobooks.com

Writen by Jestine Yong

The last article I mentioned about electrolytic capacitor breakdown when under load. In this article I will talk about the high voltage resin coated ceramic disc capacitor. In computer monitor, it is frequent used in the screen voltage (G2) line at the crt board. When it fails, it can cause erratic or intermittently raster bright and dim and sometimes no display.

Adjusting the flyback transformer screen control will not solve this problem. You can isolate the problem as whether if it cause by a defective fly back or G2 line at crt board. Remove the G2 wire from circuit and measure the screen voltage with a digital multimeter- it should have a constant voltage (will not vary). If
the voltage is not stable suspect the fly back. If it ok then trace the screen voltage circuit. Usually this circuit consist of only resistors and capacitors. Sometimes a defective crt socket might cause this type of problem also!

Many times a tech can’t solve this intermittent or no display problem is because their digital capacitance and ohmmeter measured ok on the capacitors. The capacitors in the screen voltage line are usually rated of 102,103, and 472 1kv to 2kv. A ‘missed’ in checking this capacitors will caused the technician can’t solve the problem, unless he direct replace the capacitor. An intermittent capacitor can pull down the screen voltage causing the display problem.

As mentioned earlier, an ohmmeter with 12v output and a digital
capacitance with 3v output are unable to accurately check the capacitor that have the rating of 1-2 kilovolt!

If you have the analog insulation tester or meter, the panel will show a short circuit when certain voltage are pump
in to check the high voltage capacitor. The voltages that you can select is depends on the brand or model you buy. Some have the range of 50v to 1000v and some have the range from 100v to 500v. It is optional whether you should have one. If you have one then it would be an added advantage for you. The other option that you have is to direct replace the suspected capacitor. In my country, you can get a new one in less than US150.00 or you may bid a used unit from eBay.

As for me, checking the small blue resin coated ceramic disc capacitor that have the capacitor code of 104 50v, besides using digital capacitance meter to check for the value, i also use an analog meter set to times 10Kohm that have the output of 12v to check this type of capacitor. Many times it will revealed the bad intermittent capacitor. You will be shocked to see the capacitance meter checked ok but show a shorted reading when check with analog multimeter.

In the market there is certain brand of analog multimeter that have the range of 100kohm. If you open up the cover, you can’t see the 9v battery in it, what you see only the 2 pieces of 1.5v
battery. This type of meter can’t accurately detect the short in the capacitor because the output voltage is only 3volt!

For those of you who involved in repairing monitor, you will agree with me that checking the flyback internal capacitance- quite often you get the right value 2.7nf with digital capacitance meter but when you switch on the monitor, you will hear a ‘tick-tick’ sound from the flyback. This is because the capacitor is breaking down when under load. If you did not
do anything with the flyback, gradually the internal capacitance will become shorted and you will need to refurbish the flyback.

Jestine Yong is a electronic repairer and a writer. For more electronic repair information please visit his website at http://www.noahtec.com/electronic-repair-articles.htm

Writen by Gary Hendricks

Notebook computers for budget minded consumers usually trade performance for price. If we want to pinch our pennies we have to compromise and settle for cheap notebooks that are light on performance.

Enter the best budget notebooks. With these offerings you’ll be able to get the most powerful, feature-filled notebooks you want at a price that won’t break your bank.

Gateway NX250X

This little beauty sports a Pentium M processor and a long-lasting battery making it a contender in our best of the best budget notebooks.

It comes with 512MB PC2-4200 DDR2, an 8x DVD burner and a 14” wide screen monitor. The 40GB hard drive spins at 5400rpm, certainly well above average. With its 6-in-1 card reader this little notebook is a full-fledged multimedia ready system you can tote with you wherever you go.

Dell Inspiron 2200

Dell is a name you know that you can rely on - and this Dell Inspiron 2200 makes the grade as one of the top 5 budget notebooks. Its powerful Pentium M 1.7 GHZ processor handles most professional applications.

This notebook comes standard with 512MB PC2700 DDR Memory, a 40GB hard drive, a 24x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive, a Type II PC Card Slot and three USB 2.0 slots. It uses a 14.1” LCD screen, however it has no media card readers.

Averatec AV3715-EH1

If you’re into ultraportable budget notebooks that pack a powerful punch, then this Averatec AV3715-EH1 Notebook is just for you.

Its AMD Semprin 3000+ processor is not as powerful as a Pentium yet is adequate for most applications. Its screen is a mere 12.1 inches, yet the notebook comes with an AMD Sempron 3000+ Processor, an 80GB hard drive, a DVD burner, FireWire, USB and a 4-in-1 media reader. Its Ethernet and Wireless support make it perfect for mobile computing.

Acer TravelMate 2413LCI

The best budget notebooks for people wanting a no-frills system, this Acer TravelMate 2413LCI Notebook is a fair-priced value. The technology is not as powerful as Pentium.

You get a 1.50GHz Intel Celeron M processor, adequate for basic desktop applications but not heavy applications. The notebook includes 512MB DDR2 RAM, a 60GB harddrive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW, Windows XP Pro, and a 15″ screen. Battery life is fair and the unit includes one USB 2.0 and One Type II PC Card Slot.

Dell Inspiron 1200

Dell makes its second entry in our lineup of best budget notebooks is this with this Inspiron 1200 Notebook. Another value model, it comes with a 1.30 GHz Celeron M 350, 256MB, 30GB, DVD/CD-RW, a 14.1” widescreen and Windows XP.

It’s very easy on the price, and again a perfect unit for those looking for a no-nonsense system. If you’re looking for wireless support on this system, however, you can only get it with an additional PC Card.

Conclusion
There you have it, our pick of the top 5 budget notebooks. The budget notebooks included in this review range from basic units to those offering more powerful performance at a decent price.
As always, the first question you should ask is not the price - but what you plan to use it for. Pentium and AMD processors are required for heavy multimedia applications, whereas desktop applications can work with a Celeron processor. Consider connectivity with existing technology as well. Do you need media reader support—or a PC Card?
Ask the right questions beforehand, and you will choose the right budget notebook.

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.

Writen by Ewen Chia

The importance of a bar code reader in this day and age cannot be denied. A lot of practical and pragmatic applications for a bar code reader have been rendered essential by the changing times. Whether you’re running a commercial establishment, a public or private library, a company that employs a lot of people, or a school that is attended by numerous students, a bar code reader would do wonders for your daily operations.

A bar code reader would greatly help you in organizing your database, maintaining a good record of your inventory, monitoring and tracking the movement of items and people, and ensuring the security of your premises. These far-reaching benefits of using a bar code reader and simply fantastic!

But not all barcode readers are built alike. A bar code reader may come in many forms, and some are just better than others. Well, at least for particular needs, that is. Much care and deliberation should be invested in the choice of the right bar code reader for your enterprise.

Here is a guide that would hopefully help you in choosing the perfect bar code reader for your needs:

* Know the reason why you need a barcode reader. Is it to keep watch of the items used for your trade? Is it to reduce staff time in automating certain processes? Is it to monitor the entry and exit of people to and from your premises? It is to track the movement of items to and from your storage facility? The choice of a bar code reader greatly depends on the purpose for its usage.

* Check the numerous features of various barcode readers in the market today. A bar code reader is available in three forms. First, we have the laser-based bar code reader which makes use of light emitted from the bar code reader itself to identify and verify the barcodes of a particular item. Second, we have a charged coupled device (CCD) bar code reader which makes use of light emitted from the numerous light sensors in the barcodes which the bar code reader would gather and decode for identification and verification. Third, we have a camera-based bar code reader which takes a picture, literally speaking, of the barcodes, and identifies and verifies the same through the varying hues and contrasts of the bars of the latter. Each kind of bar code reader is good for particular industries. A laser-based bar code reader is perfect for monitoring the entry and exit of people to and from your premises, for example. A CCD bar code reader is perfect for tracking the movement of your company’s supplies and tools, as well as permanent identification tags for employees and students. And a camera-based bar code reader is perfect for monitoring and regulating the movement of more sensitive items in your inventory.

* Canvass. A better price for a bar code reader would always save you some cash for other investments. There will be barcode readers offered at lower prices from some sources, so it would be best to seek these out first and foremost.

* Choose a credible and reliable company. A bar code reader company with an established track record of excellence would be a safer bet. A bar code reader would be a longtime investment, so might as well get things right the first time around.

A bar code reader would serve your business for a long, long time. Choosing the right one, therefore, would be the essential first step for a rewarding partnership that would render the processes in your enterprise more convenient.

Ewen Chia is the owner of BarCodeReader.info
providing excellent bar code reader information,
news plus completely *free* barcode fonts!
==> http://www.BarCodeReader.info

Writen by Cedric H. Dirose

Any computer user who has ever suffered a loss of important data understands how important it is to have a good backup hard drive in place. Unfortunately, many of us do not get a good understanding of the importance of having a backup until it is too late. It is far better to buy that extra hard drive before you suffer a loss of data, and it is important to look for the best hard drive you can, and to know what to look for.

For the most part, buying a backup hard drive is no different from buying any kind of hard drive, and the same considerations will go into the purchase. While you will of course want to get the best possible deal on your new hard drive, it is even more important to choose the highest quality drive you can find. After all, while buying a higher quality hard drive may cost you a few extra dollars up front, protecting the valuable personal and business information on your computer from harm is priceless.

When you consider the types of data that are stored on the modern computer, the importance of a quality hard drive will become apparent. For instance, the advent of digital photography has led many people to store their digital photographs on their hard drives, and nowhere else. Most owners of digital cameras end up printing out only a small percentage of their photos, choosing instead to store them on their computer hard drives.

This is of course very convenient, but if the hard drive were to fail all those years worth of precious family photographs could be lost. It is essential therefore to purchase a high quality backup drive to store all those valuable photos, as well as other types of data, which may include documents for your business, tax returns and other valuable information.

In addition to choosing the highest quality hard drive from the most reputable manufacturer, it is important as well to choose a drive with a high storage capacity. The storage capacity of the hard drive is one of the most important considerations, and it is always best to buy the highest capacity drive you can afford.

There are of course a number of different hard drive manufacturers on the market, including such well known name brands as Western Digital, Maxtor, Hitachi, Toshiba and Seagate. Any of these major brands can be a great choice, but many computer owners will develop and affection for a particular brand. It is important to look at the reliability figures of the hard drive, and talk to other owners of the drives, in order to find the most reliable and highest quality hard drive to store your valuable personal and business data.

No matter what type of hard drive you end up buying, however, it is essential to implement a consistent backup program once it has been installed on your computer. Whether you choose to use an internal hard drive or an external one, it is important to back up your most valuable files every day, using either the backup software that is part of the operating system or a third party backup software program. Having a good backup will help ensure you from losing possibly years worth of priceless data.

Writen by Lanard Perry

Is your computer running slower than ever? Does it crash a lot?

If so it might be because advertisers have loaded it up with Spy and Adaware without your knowledge.

“Spyware” is a common term for files that are installed on your system that allow companies to monitor your Internet activity.

“Adaware” is software that will show you pop up ads over and over. These files can be extremely dangerous to your PC and could cause major problems.

They track the websites you visit, items that you buy online, the emails you send and your Instant Message dialogues. In a worst case scenario they can even record your credit card number, personal identification numbers, and all of your passwords.

I know all of this because I learned the hard way. Fortunately, I never had any personal data stolen, at least that I’m aware of. But every now and then, when least expected, my computer would crash, sometimes resulting in days of lost activity and income.

It seems like I spent a small fortune fixing one problem after another. I bought expensive software programs that actually made my problems worse, then another hard drive that I really didn’t need.

Ultimately I had to take my computer to 2 different techs to work out all the bugs. If only I knew then what I know now.

After months of frustration and too many hundreds of dollars I care to admit to I finally learned what it takes to keep my computer healthy and functioning properly.

Below is what I learned and a recommendation that can help you avoid what I went through.

1. Get a spyware removal program. You’ve heard it before, but have you done it? This helps as your 1st line of defense against hackers and viruses.

2. Avoid opening email attachments from people you don’t know. When in doubt, don’t do it. Granted, this isn’t so easy to do when you’re in the people business, but I still encourage you to manage it as best you can. This alone eliminated a lot of my problems.

3. Scan for viruses and clean your registry at every opportunity. I spend a lot of time on the Internet working on my website marketing products, sending and receiving email and the like.

Consequently, my computer is vulnerable to attack from a lot of different ways. So, I scan it for viruses and clean my registry daily; sometimes several times a day depending on how long I’ve been on it.

If you don’t have a good spyware program you should get one. It’ll help you optimize your computer’s performance, and get it in tip top condition in no time.

Here are the benefits.

They’ll let you:

know if you have any files that are infecting your PC

help protect your computer and eliminate trojans, worms, dialers, browser hijackers, etc., and

help you avoid serious problems before they happen

You’ll be amazed at how much speed and problem free use you can regain from the use of your computer after you install a good spyware program.

If you don’t have one I strongly recommend Spyware Nuker. It’s relatively inexpensive and is money well spent to safeguard your computer and personal and professional information stored on it.

You even get to try if for free before you buy it and I believe it comes with a 90 day satisfaction or money back guarantee.

Happy listings and please feel free to call me if I can be of assistance.

About The Author

Lanard Perry is the author of “Farming Expired Listings”, a real estate listing system that shows how to list 1-2 listings a week.
Visit http://www.farmingexpiredlistings.com for more info.